Tunnel driving apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tunnel driving apparatus with a tubular outer shield containing an inner shield displaceable along the central axis of the outer shield with the aid of piston and cylinder units. Inter-engaged projections and recesses serve to slidably guide the inner shield along the outer shield while inhibiting relative rotation between the shields. A support ring is borne on the inner shield by articulated rods and vertically and horizontally directed piston and cylinder units are used to move the ring in relation to the shield. The support ring carries a rotatable cutting head provided with a toothed rim meshed with pinions coupled to one or more drive motors.

United States Patent 1 1 Follert 1 1 TUNNEL DRIVING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Hans Gunter Follert, Dortmund,

Germany [73] Assignee: Gewerkschat't Eisenhutte Westfalia,

Westphalia, Germany 221 Filed: Mar. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 454,219

Related Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 270,311, July 10. 1972.

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 299/31; 61/85 [51] Int. Cl. E29C 29/00 [58] Field of Search 61/85, 84, 4 2. 45 R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,672,726 6/1972 House 299/31 3,355,215 11/1967 Haspert et a1. 299/33 X 3.377.105 4/1968 Wallers 299/33 X 3,411,826 11/1968 Wallers et a1... 299/31 3.445.137 5/1969 Lauber i 299/33 X 1 1 Sept. 23, 1975 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thompson, Birch. Gauthier & Samuels [57] ABSTRACT A tunnel driving apparatus with a tubular outer shield containing an inner shield displaceable along the central axis of the outer shield with the aid of piston and cylinder units. Inter-engaged projections and recesses serve to slidably guide the inner shield along the outer shield while inhibiting relative rotation between the shields. A support ring is borne on the inner shield by articulated rods and vertically and horizontally directed piston and cylinder units are used to move the ring in relation to the shield. The support ring carries a rotatable cutting head provided with a toothed rim meshed with pinions coupled to one or more drive motors.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 3 3,907,365

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of 3 3,907,365

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,907,365

TUNNEL DRIVING APPARATUS This is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 270,311, filed July 10, 1972, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving tunnels used, for example. for drainage in road works or in mineral mining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a tunnel driving apparatus comprising an outer shield, an inner shield mounted for displacement relative to the outer shield, a rotatable cutting head supported by the inner shield and means for displacing the inner shield relative to the outer shield whereby to advance said cutting head.

The outer shield serves to protect the remainder of the apparatus from debris during the tunnel driving operation and also provide a support for the tunnel walls. The outer shield may conveniently be of tubular configuration.

The displacing means may be in the form of a plurality of piston and cylinder units connected between the inner and outer shields. I

Preferably some form of guide means is provided for guiding the inner shield when displaced by said displacing means. This guide means may be constituted by projections on the outer face of theinner shield engaging in recesses formed by structures attached to the outer shield or vice versa. Theses projections and recesses may be located so as to permit the inner shield to move in the direction of a central axis extending longitudinally of the tunnel, or intended tunnel, while inhibiting relative rotation between the inner and outer shields about said central axis Preferably, the cutting head is carried by a support ring flexibly connected to the inner shield. The support ring may be connected to the inner shield with the aid of rods articulated at their ends to the ring and the shield.

It is preferable to provide some form of control means for moving the supporting ring and hence the cutting head in relation tothe inner shield to control the tunnel driving process. This control means can take the form of the further plurality of piston and cylinder units operably connected between the inner shield and said support ring. These units may consist of units operable to move the support ring vertically and units operable to move the support ring horizontally. By actuating the units in a selective manner the cutting operation of the cutting head and the direction of tunnel advance can thus be controlled. The cutting head can be rotated with means in the form of one or more pinions supported on the support ring and meshed with a toothed ring attached to the head. The or each pinion can be coupled to a drive motor carried on a bracket attached be transmitted to tubular lining sections installed in the tunnel or else to the walls of the tunnel while torque would be transmitted to the outer shield and thence to the walls of the tunnel. When the inner shield has been fully advanced the inner shield is clamped to the tunnel while the outer shield is freed and moved up in relation to the inner shield. The working cycle can then recommence. It is desirable to allow access at the lower part of the apparatus for removal of the debris material. To this end preferably a recess is provided in the lower part of the inner shield to allow a conveyor to be installed.

The invention may be understood more readily and other features of the invention may become apparent from consideration of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of an apparatus made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a part/sectional rear end view of the apparatus where the right hand side of the Figure is a section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a further form of apparatus madein accordance'with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus has an outer shield 10 and an inner shield 11 disposed within the shield 10. The shield 10 is basically of cylindrical configuration whereas the shield 11 has rectilinear side walls adjoining upper and lowerarcuate walls as shown in FIG. 2. The shield 10 is of hollow double-walled construction and is provided at its front end with a cutting shoe 12. A rear wall 13 of circular form is attached to the rear end of the shield 10. The wall 13 is again of hollow double-walled construction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer shield 10 has inwardly projecting structures defining recesses 14 disposeddiametrically opposite to one another at the vertical centre of the shield 10, the inner shield 11 is provided with complementary projections 15 at the side walls which are slidably received within the recesses 14. The projections l5 and recesses 14 thus form a guide means between the shields 10, 11 so that the shield 11 can be moved back and forth within the shield 10 and along the central axis of the shield 10 and the tunnel, i.e. towards and away from the working face at the front of the shoe 12.

The inter-engagement between the projections 15 and the recesses 14 however, prevents relative. rotation between the shields 10, 11. Any torque occurring at the inner shield 11 will generally be transmitted to the outer shield 10 via the guide means 14, 15.

A plurality of double-acting piston and cylinder units 16 are provided to effect the axial displacement of the shield 11 within the shield 10. These units 16 are distributed uniformly around the side walls and upper wall of the shield 11 and the lower wall of the shield 11 is left free so that a conveyor or the like can be installed within the apparatus to remove detached debris material. To facilitate this operation the shield 11 is formed with a recess 31 (FIG. 1 in its lower wall. The units 16 are each connected to the wall 13 by means of brackets 17 and connected to the shield 11 by means of brackets 19 in turn affixed to flanges 20 provided at the inner face of the shield 11.

A cutting head 22 isprovided at the'front end of the shield 11 facing the working direction. This cutting head 22, which may be titted with roller bits as cutting tools, is supported by a support ring 21 connected to the shield 1 1 through four rods 23. Each rod 23 is articulated at its ends to the ring 21 and the shield 11, respectively. via ball and socket joints or similar mountings so that within limits the ring 21 can move in all directions in relation to the shield 11. A plurality of piston and cylinder units 28. 29 are connected between the ring 21 and the shield 11 and the disposition of the unit 28, 29 may be appreciated by referring to FIG. 2. Each of the units 28 acts in a vertical direction while each of the units 29 acts in a horizontal direction. The cylinders of the units 28. 29 are pivotably attached to lugs or brackets at the inner face of the shield 11 and the pistons of the units 28, 29 are connected through brackets 30 to the rods 23 or to the mounting between the rods 23 and the ring 21. The units 28, 29 thus constitute a control means for displacing the ring 21 and hence the cutting head 22 in any radial direction. within limits. relative to the shield 11. Usually the control means 28, 29 would be used to control the direction of advance of the apparatus.

The cutting head 22 is rotatable in relation to the ring 21 and means is provided to effect such rotation. This means is in the form of a toothed ring 27 carried by the head 22 and meshing with a plurality of individual'pinions 24 rotatably supported by the support ring 21 and driven by motors 25. The motors 25 are connected to the ring 21 itself with the aid of brackets 26. In this construction one motor'25 is allocated to each pinion 24 but it is possible to use 'a lesser number of motors or even asingle motor coupled to all the pinions 24.

During operation. the cutting head 22 is rotated with the aid of the motors 25 and the inner shield 11 is urged towards the working face by the units 16 to apply working pressure to the head 22. The reactive torque will be transmitted to the shield 10 via the guide means 14, 15 as mentioned hereinbefore. The contact between the outer periphery of the shield 10 and the tunnel formed "by the previous excavation of material may be suffito radial forces absorbed by the claws or other clamping means. However, where the tunnel is lined with tubular sections. as is more usual. it may be more expediem to provide buffers possibly in the form of hydraulic units between the rear support ring 13 and the foremost 'tu'nnel section to transmit these axial forces to the in stalled tunnel lining.

When the shield 11 and hence the cutting head 22 has been advanced by the full stroke of the units 16 then the shield 11 is clamped against the tunnel and the shield10 is rendered mobile in relation to the tunnel. Then by fully retracting the units 16 the shield 10 can be moved up and thereafter re-clamped. The shield 11 would now be-rendered mobile again and the working sequence re-commenced with the units 16 extending once again. During the operation of the apparatus the outer shield 10 protects the inner shield and the associated devices therein from material collapsing from the tunnel roof and walls and serve to support the tunnel prior to the installation of lining sections.

FIG. 3 depicts a modified form of apparatus and for convenience like reference numerals denote like parts throughout FIGS. 1 to 3. In the FIG. 3 form of apparatus the motors 25 for rotating the cutting head 22 are carried by brackets 32 attached to the inner shield 11. The output shafts of the motors 25 are coupled to the pinions 24 via articulated shafts; e.g. cardan shafts. 33.

I claim:

I. A tunnel driving apparatus comprising:

a. a hollow substantially cylindrical outer shield having an open front end:

b. a hollow substantially cylindrical inner shield having an open front end. said inner shield being telescopically assembled within said outer shield;

c. means for axially extending and retracting said inner shield relative to said outer shield;

d. guide means for preventing rotation of said inner shield relative to said outer shield during axial travel; I

e. A cutting head having cutting tools mounted on the front face of said cutting head;

f. means for rotatably supporting and for revolving said cutting head at the open front end of said inner shield;

g. a plurality of rods universally jointed at their front ends of said cutting head supporting and revolving means. said plurality of rods being jointed at their rear ends to said inner shield; and

h. piston-cylinder units pivotally attached between said inner shield and said plurality of rods. said piston-cylinder units being actuated to reposition said cutting head axis relative to the axis of said inner shield.

2. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extending and retracting means includes a plurality of piston-cylinder units operably connected between said inner shield and said outer shield.

3. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes projections slidably engaged in axially extending recesses provided on said inner and outer shields.

4. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting and revolving said cutting head includes a circular toothed ring affixed to the rear face of said cutting head. a circular support ring concentrically located with respect to said toothed ring. and toothed drive means for revolving said toothed ring in cooperation with said support ring.

5. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rods are provided at their front ends with ball and socket joints and said rods are provided at their rear ends with pivot joints.

6. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said piston-cylinder units are attached to said plurality of rods at locations on said rods which are spaced from the rear ends of said rods.

7. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim I wherein two said piston-cylinder units are attached to each said rod.

9. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner shield has a longitudinal recess formed in its lower portion to accommodate a longitudinally extending conveyor.

=l l l 

1. A tunnel driving apparatus comprising: a. a hollow substantially cylindrical outer shield having an open front end; b. a hollow substantially cylindrical inner shield having an open front end, said inner shield being telescopically assembled within said outer shield; c. means for axially extending and retracting said inner shield relative to said outer shield; d. guide means for preventing rotation of said inner shield relative to said outer shield during axial travel; e. A cutting head having cutting tools mounted on the front face of said cutting head; f. means for rotatably supporting and for revolving said cutting head at the open front end of said inner shield; g. a plurality of rods universally jointed at their front ends of said cutting head supporting and revolving means, said plurality of rods being jointed at their rear ends to said inner shield; and h. piston-cylinder units pivotally attached between said inner shield and said plurality of rods, said piston-cylinder units being actuated to reposition said cutting head axis relative to the axis of said inner shield.
 2. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extending and retracting means includes a plurality of piston-cylinder units operably connected between said inner shield and said outer shield.
 3. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes projections slidably engaged in axially extending recesses provided on said inner and outer shields.
 4. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting and revolving said cutting head includes a circular toothed ring affixed to the rear face of said cutting head, a circular support ring concentrically located with respect to said toothed ring, and toothed drive means for revolving said toothed ring in cooperation with said support ring.
 5. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rods are provided at their front ends with ball and socket joints and said rods are provided at their rear ends with pivot joints.
 6. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said piston-cylinder units are attached to said plurality of rods at locations on said rods which are spaced from the rear ends of said rods.
 7. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein two said piston-cylinder units are attached to each said rod.
 8. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said revolving said cutting head includes a plurality of drive motors having piston gears on their motor shafts which mesh with said toothed ring.
 9. The tunnel driving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner shield has a longitudinal recess formed in its lower portion to accommodate a longitudinally extending conveyor. 